250 Years Ago:

"TO All Charitable and Well-disposed People - The Humble Petition of Benjamin Tanner, Carrier of the City of Worcester." The petitioner has for some years followed the business of carrier with a common stage wagon from Worcester to London.

However, on April 10 last, as he was on his journey from this city to London, his team of horses and loaded waggon, while being driven through the Avon, near Evesham Bridge, overturned and was swept upwards of a mile down the river by the rapid current.

Three of his horses were drowned, the wagon and its contents were much damaged and the petitioner only narrowly escaped drowning.

Then on May 13, his repaired wagon accidentally burst into flames near Broadway, on its way from London. The wagon and its extremely valuable cargo of silks were entirely burned and consumed.

The aforesaid unhappy accidents have involved a loss in the sum of £1,000 and upwards which the petitioner is utterly unable to make good and which will render him wholly incapable of pursuing his said carrier's business.

He is entirely ruined and therefore humbly requests charitable contributions towards the recovery of his losses, and his will never cease to pray.

Contributions will be thankfully received and gratefully acknowledged at the petitioner's own dwelling house in Fryer's Street, Worcester.

200 Years Ago :

A few days since, the body of a female was taken out of the river Severn some miles south of this city which appeared to have been in the water for some time. It is supposed it is the body of the woman who was in the service of Mr New, grocer of Worcester, and who absconded from her master's house on March 4 when apprehensions were entertained that she might destroy herself.

* To Boot-makers, Several hands are wanted in the above craft. Good hands will meet with constant employ by applying to J Garner, book-maker of High Street, Worcester. If they can close their own work, the more agreeable.

150 Years Ago:

Maintenance of a lunatic pauper. John Quick was summonsed at Worcester police court by the relieving officer for failing to contribute towards the maintenance of his wife, an inmate of the City and County Pauper Lunatic Asylum. Defendant, who is 75 years of age, while his wife is about 46, is an old soldier in receipt of a pension of 10d a day and earns also weekly wages of 13s from his employment at the vinegar works in this city.

His wife had been much addicted to drunkenness, had sold or pawned most of his furniture and involved him in debts.

He was ordered to pay 5s a week towards the maintenance of his wife.

* Treat to workmen. On Tuesday evening the workmen in the employ of Messrs. Firkins & Co, glove manufacturers and hop merchants of this city, were regaled with a substantial repast at Mr Rogers's Wherry Inn at Quay Street. (see pic) A most agreeable evening was spent and the health of the kind entertainers was drunk with utmost cordiality.

100 Years Ago:

THERE was a large audience in the public hall, Worcester, on Tuesday evening when the sisters Salter, who have been called the Devonshire Nightingales, gave a successful song recital.

The audience accorded the vocalists, Miss Bertha Salter and Miss Florence Salter an enthusiastic reception and in return received a generous measure of encores.

Both ladies have voices of remarkable quality and possess an extraordinary knowledge of the manner in which they may be employed.

* Row in the Theatre Royal. Arthur Greenway, aged 36, fish salesman of Rothsay Lodge, Arboretum Road, Worcester, pleaded guilty at the City police court to being drunk and disorderly in Angel Street. PC Guy said he was called to eject the defendant from the theatre. Greenway's language was very bad and he was very violent.

The defendant was fined 10 shillings with costs.